5 string Pbass conversion

[Deviljohn]

So buddy of mine wants to convert a 5 string Pbass from B-E-A-D-G to E-A-D-G-B..(w/ Labella Flats).short of removing and fabricating a new nut...my thought is to fill the existing nut w super glue/baking soda and re-file the nut slots to the appropriate string diameters....theres a decent amount of relief in the neck as she sits, so truss rod tweak is TBD..Any thoughts or pitfalls I should be on the look out for?? I'm a 4 string guy and never messed w a 5 string, but I dont see why the set-up technique would be much different...here's some before pix..

 

[Matt Liebenau]

If the strings have good down pressure after the nut and you set the witness points on the new strings you might not need to modify the nut, the existing slots could be fine. It doesn’t cost anything to try. Otherwise, you could fill and recut the existing slots but a nut blank is easy and inexpensive enough to purchase or fabricate that my first choice would be to just start fresh.

 

[Turnaround]

Going from BEADG to EADGB should be OK without doing anything to the nut. Try it and if there's no open string buzzing it's good.

(Matt beat me to it by moments)

 

[Deviljohn]

Going from BEADG to EADGB should be OK without doing anything to the nut. Try it and if there's no open string buzzing it's good.

(Matt beat me to it by moments)

I like that approach....will roll that way w/ a basic set-up and see how the nut behaves..tweak as needed...!! Ive got bone nut blanks in case that route is needed..

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Going from BEADG to EADGB should be OK without doing anything to the nut. Try it and if there's no open string buzzing it's good.

(Matt beat me to it by moments)

Always nice to know I’m in good company, Richard.

 

[micguy]

I run light gauges on all my basses - 40-55-70-95-130. The nuts were cut at the factory for bigger strings (except the 130). I have zero problems with that. Put on skinnier strings and go.